GPS Origins™ Algorithm

New ancestral tracking technique pinpoints your ancestry

The analysis combines the latest genetic research with a new ancestral tracking technique to pinpoint more precisely where your DNA began.

INDUSTRY LEADING ACCURACY

The GPS Origins™ test analyzes over 800,000 markers, 36 gene pools and 862 reference populations. It can trace a person's signature going back 1,000 years with higher specificity than any other ancestral test.

PARENTAL HERITAGE

Traces the migration route of your DNA back to where it originated from and dated the age of your DNA signature. It does this for both your maternal and paternal lineages indicating where your DNA began.

ANCESTRAL ORIGINS

Identifies your top three ancestral origins (the gene pools or ancestral communities that contributed significant portions of your genetic makeup) and shows the percentages of DNA you inherited from each.

MIGRATION PATHS

Contains maps illustrating the two most important migration journeys and describes how your ancestors’ circumstances changed as they crossed continents to find better lives.

A new way of viewing human populations

GPS Origins relies upon the genetic uniqueness created by mixing 36 global gene pools in different proportions—more than twice the number being used by other methods. As such, it captures ancient events, like the migration of Indo-Iranian people into Europe around 2500 BC. The gene pools describe the geographical origins of your DNA molecule as passed along the generational lines.

FAQ

Do you share or sell my private DNA information?

Customers trust us with their most sensitive genetic information—and we take that trust seriously. DNA results and personally-identifiable information are kept completely confidential and are not sold to or shared with a third party (except in connection with a merger/sale of our company), unless we are legally compelled to do so. We may use aggregate anonymous data (information that cannot be traced back to a specific individual) for research and marketing purposes and to improve our services. Respecting our customers’ privacy is at the heart of what we do.

How does this test differ from other DNA tests for ancestry?

Other DNA tests for ancestry provide a limited ethnic composition at a regional or country level. For example, they might indicate 33% East Asian, 40% sub-Saharan African and 27% European.GPS Origins goes beyond these broad ethnic classifications to identify your ancestral origins to a precise geographic location using an unprecedented number of gene pools and reference populations.

How accurate is the test?

The accuracy depends on your family history. If your parents are from the same place or two different locations, and not mixed themselves, the test can trace your DNA signature back to the country of origin 90% of the time. The test will predict the correct continent for everyone.In a study of people from across the world, the GPS Origins’ algorithm predicted continental origins with 98% accuracy, assigned 83% of the individuals to their country of origin, and, where applicable, 66% of them to their regional locations.If your ancestors were from Western Europe, and your parents came from the same region, not moving far from the place that they came from, the test will place your DNA signature within 50 miles of its true origin, and often closer.Your results will show the origin as a point on a map. Any expected error appears as a circle around the point - the smaller the circle, the more accurate the result. The accuracy also depends on the size of the reference population in a given area; the larger the reference group, the more accurate the results will be.

What is a Gene Pool?

A Gene Pool, also referred to as Ancestral Origin, is the collective set of genetic information within a distinct region where populations had limited interactions with populations from outside the group for up to about 20,000 or 60,000 years. So far, 36 human gene pools around the world have been identified with each human population made up of a mixture of several such gene pools. In the distant past, genetic mixing tended to occur when large groups of people moved from one area to another, through invasion or mass migration. The GPS Origins test pinpoints the origin of your DNA by comparing it to the signature mixtures in different populations. Your personalized report shows the percentages of DNA you inherited and provides you with the history of the top three Gene Pools.

What is a Reference Population?

Also referred to as a Study Base, a reference population is a defined, representative sample of individuals during a specific time range used to establish norms for reference ranges. GPS Origins uses 862 reference populations in its database when calculating your results. This large number of reference populations, obtained from publicly-referenced data-sets, along with the 36 gene pools, helps deliver the accuracy in your GPS Origins results.

What is a Migration Pattern?

A Migration Pattern is the path your DNA traveled over the past 2,000-4,000 years. The GPS Origins test traces your migration route back to where it originated and dates the age of your DNA signature. The test provides this information for both your parental lineages, indicating where your DNA began. Your results are detailed in a report that reveals a vibrant picture of where and how your ancestors lived, and the conditions that led them to migrate. It also contains maps illustrating the two most important migration journeys and describes how your ancestors’ circumstances changed as they crossed continents to find better lives. Note: The GPS Origins test is an Autosomal (SNP) test that is not gender specific. Although both Migration Patterns represent your Maternal and Paternal DNA route, we cannot differentiate which route is specifically your parents’ individual route at this time.

What if my family history indicates we have been in one area for a very long time and my results show I am connected to a dramatically different area?

In the case that one of your parents is of mixed origins because your grandparents are from two different places (e.g., England and Greece), GPS Origins migration lines for that parent may be traced along the middle migration paths of your grandparents (e.g., Hungary). This could be revealed via a larger circle (greater radius) around a stopping point, reflecting higher uncertainty in this area. GPS Origins is the story of your DNA—not necessarily of people. Your (and their) DNA may indeed have come from a region that no one remembers existed.We are constantly developing improved tools that will give you more accurate and informative questions about your past, so stay tuned.

I am mixed race. What will the GPS Origins test results tell me?

GPS Origins always reports the results for two lineages, which should roughly correspond to the origin of your parents. The test works best for people with DNA from no more than two different places; that is to say, people whose parents are from different places but are not themselves mixed. For people with more mixing, say, four grandparents from various places across the globe, the test will report the midpoint between the four places.The next generation of this DNA testing for ancestry will reveal the genetic origins for people with significantly mixed genetic backgrounds.

I am adopted. Can GPS Origins help me discover my birth family?

The test will tell you where your DNA is from and may help you get started on your search to find your birth family and to help you build a family tree.

What is the difference between my ethnicity and my genetic origin?

An ‘ethnic group’ is considered a group with shared characteristics such as culture, language, religion and traditions, and sees itself or is perceived by others as a distinct community. It is not necessarily genetic and definitions of what is a distinct ethnic group may vary from place to place.This DNA test for ancestry tells you where your DNA began. It is more accurate than your ethnicity, which refers to a much bigger group of people that may reside in multiple places. Genetic origin, therefore tells you much more about the smaller group of individuals who were your ancestors.

What's included in my test results report?

You will receive a detailed report of your DNA story. It starts with the Human Origin story from Africa- the origin of all humankind- starting 200,000 years ago. It is followed by a story of the formation of Gene Pools (Genetic Origins) some 50,000 years ago, with results showing which are most similar to your DNA. Next, you receive a map with two migration journeys, one from each side of the family, including their subsequent migration stories. The migration routes include ancestral points of your DNA—the last of which includes the period of its formation. Finally, you will receive a summary page with links to external research to help you learn more about your genetic origin.

What is the GPS Origins DNA test for ancestry?

GPS Origins test allows you to trace your DNA back around 1,000 years, or more, to the place where your DNA began.The test uses 36 global gene pools to calculate the genetic signature of your autosomal DNA. For example: Fennoscandia 19%, Southern France 14%, Orkney Islands 20%, and so on. Next, it compares your unique DNA signature to populations all over the world (who we know have lived in the same location for a substantial period) to locate where your DNA began. In some cases, GPS Origins traces your DNA to the village or town level. Finally, it calculates two genetic lineages by tracing the migration routes of your DNA, using its ancient signature moving back through time.

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Once your sample is collected, just mail the kit right back to us. It’s easy, safe, and free!

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We will sequence your sample and upload your data in the DNA Vault, so you can access DNA apps instantly!

About Home DNA

HomeDNA™ empowers you with valuable information contained in your own DNA and is brought to you by DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC). Established in 1995, the DDC was founded on the belief that technological advancements in DNA testing should translate to services that are accessible and affordable to everyone. They have built an international reputation based on their commitment to reliability, innovation, and value by offering DNA testing services for paternity and other family relationships, forensics, animal breeders and veterinarians, and now wellness-inspired consumers.

Customers love Lumminary

Thousands of people across the world use our services to make their lives simpler, more pleasant, and more productive.

more building blocks of family information
I've been blessed to know several members of 4-generations of my family. I thought I knew "where" we came from and had previously used DNA to find out "who". With Origins I've found that I need to expand my horizons and really look at "where". It's so much fun to use these maps, historical information, etc. on parts of the world I know almost nothing about. I'm really hooked now.

Very impressed
I could not be happier with my results. I check the test through ancestry.com but was not pleased with the very vague regions. I heard about home DNA and they had my results back on site uploaded my raw DNA in 24 hours. Wow what a difference! They really narrowed it down for me. I’ll call them in And spoke to Sarah. She was wonderful she was more helpful and more confident in what she knew then the Ancestry people. Sarah even offered to research some information for me. Thank you home DNA and thank you Sarah I will recommend you guys from here on out

Fast and Specific
I downloaded my father's autosomal DNA from another company; the results were ready in an astounding 4+ hours! The geographic areas of ancestry supplied by this company are very specific...naming even certain tribes and cities in a few cases, and when only regions are supplied they are much less general than previous results (for instance, naming Southern France instead of Central Europe). I have recommended this company to two of my friends and they have already ordered kits. Very glad I found this testing site.

Amazed
I was quite impressed with my results. This test confirmed for me a other test taken. I am quite thrilled.

HomeDNA is very good
HomeDNA confirmed much of my research. And the process took less than an hour online. A very thorough product.